The lyrics are from the song Bound To Happen by The Spill Canvas.

The story title is from the song by Linkin Park.

Rated M for language, sexual content, sensitive matter, and dark themes.

For what it's worth, I've always admired you. I always thought that we could make it through.

"Everything's changed, and we're over."

Damon froze as soon as he said the words. He didn't think he'd actually get it out, and now that he had…

He could see, for a brief moment, the vulnerability and hurt shining on Elena's face, in her eyes. Then her lips clenched together and formed a hard line. She stood up, her eyes locked on Damon's, and she spoke as she moved about the room, gathering her clothes.

"You know that I love you Damon."

He opened his mouth to answer, but no sound came out.

"And you know that I've tried to work at this. I've gone to hell and back to get to you, and you won't let me fix this. Is that correct?"

Now look what time can do; it took our masterpiece we built and broke it in two.

Again, Damon tried to speak, but he couldn't. A part of him panicked. What the hell am I thinking? As Elena's face reflected no emotion, only hardness, he realized his mistake. He shouldn't do this; he couldn't do this.

But everything that had happened, and was still happening, was putting such a strain on their bond. He couldn't adjust to her strength, and he wasn't recovering from whatever had been affecting him since the rescue. Time had passed, and things had happened, and now he couldn't go back, could he?

I always believed in you; I always loved you.

By now, Elena was dressed and ready to leave.

"I thought it would be different. I knew there was a chance that you would leave me, but I didn't think it would be over… whatever this is. I thought that we could get past this, but I guess I was wrong."

She brushed past him, and her hand was on the doorknob when Damon appeared behind her, pushing the door shut again.

This is so difficult for the both of us; I know we tried so hard, there's just no hope for us.

"Wait! This isn't… Maybe we…" Damon huffed, frustrated by his own lack of eloquence at this extremely pivotal moment.

Elena turned and pressed her back against the door, looking him straight in the eye. They stood like that for a moment, Damon stuttering, and Elena glaring, until finally, her face softened.

"How about this," she reached up and cupped his cheek with a gloved hand, "I'll go stay with Jenna and Alaric for a few days, and we'll take some time. I'll call you later this week, and we can figure it out then?"

Damon nodded, even though the idea of the impending separation was almost too painful to bear, in spite of what his previous intentions were.

"Okay," Elena smiled. "I'll see you soon."

And with that, she was gone.

Well it's more than a shame that we lost to this game. All my walking, talking, sleeping, breathing - nothing will ever be the same.

The next day, Stefan asked Damon where Elena had gotten to, and Damon told him to check at Jenna's. He had slept on the issue, and couldn't wait to have her back again, but was resigned to letting her have a few days to herself.

She had said that she would call in a few days.

Too bad neither he, nor Elena, had known then that she was lying.